Code No.

1/1/3

Candidates must write the code on the title page of the answer-book.

• Please check that this question paper contains 8 printed pages. • Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate. • Please check that this question paper contains 17 questions. • Please write down the serial number of the question before attempting it.

ENGLISH (Communicative) Time allowed : 3 hours ]

[ Maximum Marks : 100

General Instructions : This paper consists of four sections — Section A — Reading 20 marks Section B — Writing 30 marks Section C — Grammar 20 marks Section D — Literature 30 marks 1. Attempt all questions. 2. Do not write anything in the question paper. 3. All the answers must be correctly numbered as in the question paper and written in the answer sheet provided to you. 4. Attempt all questions in each section before going on to the next section. 5 Read each question carefully and follow the instructions. 6. Strictly adhere to the word limit given with each question. Marks will be deducted for exceeding the word limit. SECTION - A (Reading) 20 marks A.1 Read the following poem carefully : (8 marks) A GREEN CORNFIELD The earth was green, the sky was blue; I saw and heard one sunny morn A skylark hang between the two, A singing speck above the corn. A stage below in gay accord, White butterflies danced on wing, And still the singing skylark soared, And silent sank and soared to sing.

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The cornfield stretched a tender green To right and left beside my walks; I knew he had a nest unseen Somewhere among the million stalks. And as I paused to hear his song While swift the sunny moments slid, Perhaps his mate sat listening long, And listened longer than I did. A.1.1 Read the following summary. Complete it by writing the missing word against the correct blank number in your answer sheet:

(1/2×10=5 marks)

The poet’s intense (a) ...................... for nature is (b)...................... in the poem. She looked (c) . ................. from a cornfield and saw a (d) ................... soaring in the sky and (e) ................. The butterflies (f) .................... about in the cornfield. The poet knew that the skylark’s (g) ....................... was hidden (h) ..................... the stalks. She (i) ................. that its (j) ................ too was listening intently to the song. A.1.2 Complete the following statements on the basis of your reading of the poem. Write your answers in the answer sheet against the correct blank number:

(1×3=3 marks)

(1) The colours mentioned in the poem are . ............................................................ (2) One sunny morning the poet .............................................................................. (3) The phrase ‘gay accord’ in the second stanza means . ....................................... A.2

Read the passage given below : 1.

(12 marks)

Why is it that there are very few women players in our orchestras ? If one could reply flatly - sex discrimination: they don’t want women in orchestras - that would be a definite answer. But one can’t say that. As a matter of fact there are, if not many, a few women playing today in symphony orchestras. Nevertheless, it is true that male orchestral players are in an overwhelming majority. Why is that ? I’m afraid, there is no one answer. There are physical reasons why women don’t perform well on certain instruments. The average woman is not likely to possess sufficient lung power and sheer muscular strength to play the tuba just as an average woman’s hands are not likely to be large enough to finger a double bass satisfactorily. But what about the other instruments ?

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2.

I think social and family pressures have been very strong in keeping women out of orchestras. Think of the prejudice that existed half a century ago against the so-called ‘nice’ girls going on stage. The stage was won out for the simple reason that it had to have women to play feminine roles in plays and operas, and was willing to offer a young woman more money than she could make in any other profession. Moreover, on stage, she was appearing as an individual, as a center of attraction. This was gratifying to both her and her family. To this day, while the average parents are reconciled to seeing their daughter become an opera singer or concert artist, they don’t like the idea of seeing her submerging her personality to become the member of a chorus of the orchestra.

3.

Another reason why we have so few women orchestral musicians is that so few of them play wind instruments well enough. They don’t play well enough because they haven’t had the proper training; and the reason for that lies in the history of orchestral music. You will find that famous European families of bassoon players or clarinetists taught their sons to play the family instrument. Their sons; but never their daughters. If they had any other pupils, those were also boys; not girls. And to this day, while women vote, hold public office and practise many other professions, without shocking our Sensibilities, in this particular field, the orchestra, our attitude towards women still remains the same.

4.

However, this prejudice is rapidly crumbling, and is likely to disappear entirely in a few years. For this we have to thank our high-school bands and orchestras, which offer instruction, practice, and experience in playing all orchestral instruments to boys and girls alike.

A.2.1 Complete the following sentences. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number: I.

(1×8 = 8 marks)

The reasons why there are only very few women orchestra players — (a) Physical reasons (i)

............................................................................................................

(ii)

............................................................................................................

(b) Social reasons (i)

............................................................................................................

(ii)

............................................................................................................

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(c) Women won out on stage because

II.

(i)

............................................................................................................

(ii)

............................................................................................................

The high school bands have to be thanked because ..........................................

III. Lack of training has resulted in ........................................................................... A.2.2 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the phrases given below. Write your answers in the answer sheet against the correct blank number : (a) make a distinction / a difference

.......................... Para 1

(b) breaking / falling off

.......................... Para 4

(c) satisfying / to please

.......................... Para 2

(d) learning

.......................... Para 3 SECTION - B (Writing)

B.1

(1×4=4 marks)

30 marks

You are Rekha / Rahul of National Public School, Bilaspur. Being incharge of the cultural committee of your school, you are given a letter by your Principal about an Inter-school Cultural Fiesta your school has to take part in. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, including relevant details from the letter, asking students to appear for selection. Do not give extra information. Put the notice in a box.

(5 marks)

Hill Mount School, Bilaspur. 20 February, 2005 The Principal, National Public School, Bilaspur. Madam, Our school is conducting a cultural fiesta on the 26th of this month. The events for competition include music, dance and skit. We would appreciate if the students of your prestigious institution participate and make our show a grand success. Attractive prizes will be awarded to the Winners. Thank you very much, Yours faithfully, Gayathri Sundaram Principal

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B.2

Mr. Ujwal, the Managing Director of Ceramics India Ltd. asks his P.A. to draft a message for Mr. Ramesh, the P.R.O. of his company. Use the following information in the M.D.’s note-pad to draft the message. Put the message in a box. (5 marks) Your answer should be in not more than 50 words. • Two dignitaries arriving from Delhi on 4th April. • Accommodation to be booked in a five-star hotel. • Show them around the factory. • Book return tickets on the 6th April.

B.3

You are Swapna / Abishek. You saw the following advertisement in a newspaper. You decide to write an article in your school magazine on how advertisements of such gadgets are harmful to youth. Using ideas from the unit on ‘Science’ and your own ideas, write the article in about 200 words. (10 marks) CAMEO has announced the launch of the trendy Cameo 4005 camera phone. With visual flashing lights the handset is targeted at youth. It also offers features like built-in V.G.A. camera and mobile themes. M.I.D.I. ringing tones with synchronized lights is an added feature.

B.4

The given histogram throws light on India’s poor performance in the Athens Olympics. As Rama/Raju, write a letter in not more than 150 words to be included in the letters to the editor column of the Daily Express. Making use of the hints given below and your own ideas, write the reasons for the poor performance. Give suggestions on how India can perform better. Hints : Lack of initiative - satisfied with being mediocre Government apathy Dearth of trained personnel Economic reasons

(10 marks)

FOR THE BLIND India had to be content with silver in the Athens Olympics. Making use of the hints above and your own ideas, write a letter to the editor of a local daily on the reasons for India’s poor performance. Give suggestions on how we can perform better.

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SECTION - C (Grammar) C.1

20 marks

Raghu is the reporter of ‘The Herald’. He was sent to report a bomb-blast in a shopping complex. Using the information from his note-pad complete the notes. Do not add any new information. Write the correct answer in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence. (1×5 = 5 marks) Shopping complex ........ destroyed ........ bomb ........ 7 o’clock ...... 80 people burnt alive ........... two young men .......... seen speeding off .......... police assured immediate arrest of culprits. The citizens of Kantipur were shocked when one of its (a) . ......................... by a (b) . The place was crowded and about (c) .................... Witnesses say that (d) . on a two wheeler soon after the blast. The police commissioner assured the people that (e) . .........................

C.2 Given below is a conversation between Jacob and Paul. Complete the dialogue below in a suitable way. Write the answer against the correct blank number. Do not (1×4=4 marks) copy the: whole Jacob Why sentence. didn’t you reach on time for your music practice ? Paul : I (a) ........................................................................................................... Jacob : The instructor is furious. He (b) . .............................................................. Paul : I will (c) . ......................................................... Jacob : You better do it. We don’t (d) .............................................. . The programme is on the 20th of this month. C.3

The following passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. The first one has been done for you. (1/2×8=4 marks)

The city police have decided

Incorrect

Correct

have

has

to taking stern action against

(a) ...................

drivers which attempt to

(b) ...................

overtake in the left

(c) ...................

side in city roads. All

(d) ...................

driver who violate this rule

(e) ...................

will be punish. The first offence will

(f) . ..................

invited penalty of fine. The

(g) . .................

second will incur cancelling of

(h) . .................

the driving licence.

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C.4

Rearrange the following to form meaningful sentences. The first one has been done as an example. Write the answers against the correct numbers. (1/2×6=3 marks) put into / as the / at low / baby can / he is / as soon / water / toddle / tide / As soon as the baby can toddle he is put into water at low tide. (a) (b) (c) (d)

water / the baby / in the / here / plays / sits and / long enough / the mother / him / does not / to weary / there / leave him / older / at low tide / as / wade about / allowed to / he is / he grows / look out / water / keep a / into deep / sharp / does not stray / so that he / his elders/ (e) permitted to / from which / judgment / he may / make small mistakes /he is / learn to make better / (f) are given / to swim / small canoes / the children / they / own / are able /of their / when /

C.5

Use the information in the headlines to complete the news items given below. Write the answers in your answer sheet against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence. (1×4=4 marks) (a) CAR BOMB EXPLODES IN BAGHDAD A car bomb . ............................................................ killed two and injured many. (b) JOHN MUSTER ENTERS FINAL Seventh seeded ............................................................. All-India badminton tournament. (c) CHINA DEVELOPS MEDICAL ROBOT A polytechnic university in China . ................................. that can conduct surgeries. (d) VISA FOR PAK JOURNALISTS LIBERALISED India, today announced . ............................................... for Pakistani journalists. SECTION - D (Literature) 30 marks

D.1

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (4 marks) ‘I watched the flame feeding on my mother. I watched the holy man perform his rites to tame the poison with an incantation. After 24 hours it lost its sting.

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(a) Why was the flame feeding on the mother ? (b) Explain ‘incantation’. (c) What do these lines tell us about the attitude of the peasants ? D.2

(2) (1) (1)

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two sentences only. (4 marks) ‘Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head, The glorious sun uprist; Then all averred, I had killed the bird That brought the fog and mist. 'Twas right, said they, such birds to slay, That bring the fog and mist.' (a) Why is the sun described as glorious ? (b) How do the sailors contradict themselves ? (c) Which is the bird referred to here ?

(1) (2) (1)

D.3

How does the poem, ‘Ode to the West Wind’ reflect the poet’s love for liberty ? Your answer should not exceed 100 words. (5 marks)

D.4

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. Write each answer in your answer sheet in one or two lines only. (5 marks) ‘O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.’ (a) Who is the speaker ? Who is he speaking to ? (b) Explain ‘brutish beasts’. (c) What is the speaker trying to do ? Is he successful in his attempt ?

D.5

(1) (2) (2)

Read the extract below and answer the questions. Write the answer in your answer sheet. Number the answers correctly. In the lesson, ‘The Ultimate Safari’, the narrator says, ‘When the sun was going down, our grandmother and grandmother came’.

D.6

(a) What were the circumstances that led to the arrival of the grandparents ?

(2)

(b) How were the grandparents entirely different from each other in their character ? Your answer should not exceed 75 words.

(2) (4 marks)

You are Cutie-pie. After you reach your home planet you write in your diary about your adventures on Earth and how you reached home safely. Write your answer in about 150 words. (8 marks)

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